The aging of the population and the flight of young people, the age group over 60 years increases significantly

The gradual aging of the population and immigration, which has mainly involved young people, is significantly changing the structure of the population in the country, inverting the pyramid in favor of older ages.

INSTAT reported that the population of Albania on January 1, 2023 is 2,761,785 inhabitants, with a decrease of 1.1%, or 31.8 thousand people less than a year ago.

The most detailed data of INSTAT, according to age groups, processed by Monitor, show that the biggest decline has been experienced by the age group up to 29 years old, especially that from 15-29 years old, which has been more inclined to emigrate. like for school, with parents, or to work.

In total, the country had 40 thousand fewer young people aged 0-29 in January 2023, compared to January 2022, of which 27.5 thousand, or almost 70%, are aged 15-29. (see graph: Annual population change, by age group, 2023/2022).

The 30-39 age group is growing slightly, while the 40-59 age group is shrinking.

While young people are decreasing more and more, the elderly over 60 are increasing at a high rate, with almost 17 thousand people more than a year ago.

The inversion of the pyramid

Seen more long-term, in the last two decades, the country's population has seen drastic changes, which have overturned its pyramid.

In 2001, the 0-29 age group accounted for 53.5% of the total population. In 2011 this share had decreased to 47%, while in January 2023 it reached the lowest historical level of 37.3%, or 16.2 percentage points less than two decades ago.

In contrast, the over-60 age group is growing rapidly. In 2001, it constituted 11.1% of the total population. In 2011 this share increased to 15.4%, while in January 2023 it reached the highest historical level of 23.5%, or 12.4 percentage points less than two decades ago.

The decrease in the weight of the productive age population and the increase in the retired population is expected to further worsen the pension scheme, which is still at a standstill today due to the constant shrinking of the ratio between contributors and beneficiaries.

According to the projections of the United Nations (which calculates based on the trend of previous years), the rate of aging of the Albanian population is expected to be very high, surpassing even the countries that today have a median age (the age that divides the population in half). higher than us.

According to forecasts, 49% of Albania's population will be 65 or older by 2100, the highest proportion in the world and double the global average by that year.

The challenge of an aging population will affect all sectors of society, including the labor and financial markets, the demand for housing and transport, and especially family structures and intergenerational ties./ Monitor